Choose ONE of the three topics below. Then write a paper of approximately 6 to
8 pages (typed, double-spaced) on your selected topic.
Please email me your papers as a Word document or PDF by NOON on
SUNDAY, JULY 7. No late papers will be accepted.
1. Compare and contrast the editing strategies of Griffith?s AN UNSEEN ENEMY
and Bu?uel and Dal?s UN CHIEN ANDALOU.
2. Compare and contrast the use of POV in TWO of the following three films:
VERTIGO, CLEO FROM 5 TO 7, MEMORIES OF UNDERDEVELOPMENT. How
do the filmmakers use point of view to create a sense of identification with the
protagonist? How does that sense of identification play out over the course of
each film?
3. Compare and contrast how the narrative structures of RASHOMON and A
MOMENT OF INNOCENCE lead us to question whether we can believe what we
see on screen. How is this achieved, and to what end? Are these questions
about what?s real and what?s not real resolved by the end of each film?
All the films listed above are on reserve for viewing in Butler Library. All except
MEMORIES OF UNDERDEVELOPMENT and A MOMENT OF INNOCENCE can
be easily found on Netflix, at video stores, etc. AN UNSEEN ENEMY can be
found on a compilation called BIOGRAPH SHORTS: GRIFFITH
MASTERWORKS. As of this writing, AN UNSEEN ENEMY and UN CHIEN
ANDALOU can both be viewed on YouTube.
Some guidelines for writing the papers:
– Give your essays some organized line of thought or structure. Think about the
films and come up with a central argument or thesis. Then go through the films
carefully and gather the evidence that supports your thesis. (If you find that your
thesis isn’t supported by the evidence, adjust the thesis accordingly.) Construct
your paper so that the central argument is clearly stated up front. Ideally, each
paragraph should somehow support your main thesis, and each sentence should
somehow support the main point of each paragraph. (Note: not all of this may be
applicable if you choose to write on topic #1?although that paper should still
have some kind of guiding structure or central idea tying your arguments
together.)
(continued?)- Be specific. Be descriptive. Cite examples to back up your points. Stick to the
topic; no digressions. Avoid plot summaries or background information about the
film unless it?s directly relevant to your topic. Don?t bother ?clearing your throat?
with general introductory material?get right into your main argument.
– While content is what matters most here, your essay is expected to meet a
certain standard in writing proficiency (spelling, grammar, and punctuation, as
well as the ability to formulate and sustain an argument).
– When writing about movies, your descriptions of what happens in a film should
be in the present tense. ("Scottie dives into the water to rescue her," "Lang
begins the film with a black screen," ?The next scene takes place in Sergio?s
apartment,? etc.)